Remote testing of hvac systems

ABSTRACT

A number of methods for testing an HVAC system for a building structure from a remote location outside of the building structure are disclosed. Generally, the HVAC system has a primarily active component and a primarily dormant component. The method includes the steps of transmitting a test request to the HVAC system from the remote location, performing a test on the primarily dormant component of the HVAC system in response to the test request, and producing a test result. The test result can then be transmitted to a location outside of the building structure.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. application Ser.No. 13/673,756, filed Nov. 9, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 10/822,882, filed Apr. 13, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No.8,332,178, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates generally to the field ofremote testing of heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC)systems. BACKGROUND

HVAC systems can be controlled by a wide variety of controllersincluding electromechanical thermostats, microprocessor-basedcontrollers, and/or any other type of controller. In many cases, theHVAC system controller is adapted to control a heater component and/oran air conditioner component (depending on the selected mode), a fan,and in some cases, other components of an HVAC system. Regardless of theparticular system, HVAC equipment is typically operated until a failureoccurs, then it is repaired.

In many cases, HVAC equipment problems are recognized at the beginningof the heating season (Fall) and/or the cooling season (Spring), andoften when the equipment is most needed. As such, HVAC servicingcompanies often experience an increased demand for their service duringthese time periods, and HVAC equipment owners are often forced to repairthe HVAC equipment at an increased expedited repair cost.

In addition, many HVAC system owners have services contracts that causethe HVAC services provider to visit each HVAC system at least once ayear to determine if further service is needed to maintain the HVACsystem. Many of these visits are unnecessary, and thus can increase thecost to the HVAC services provider and HVAC system owners.

SUMMARY

Generally, the present invention relates to remote testing of heating,ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. A number of methods fortesting HVAC systems for building structures from a remote locationoutside of the building structures are contemplated. These methods canallow for efficient checking and, if required, maintenance of a largenumber of HVAC systems. Further, these methods can provide for remotechecking of HVAC systems and allow service contractors to service theHVAC systems that actually need to be maintained.

In one illustrative embodiment of the present invention, an HVAC systemincludes both a primarily active component and a primarily dormantcomponent. The primary active component may be, for example, the heatingcomponent in the winter season, and the primarily dormant component maybe the cooling component. Likewise, the primary active component may bethe cooling component in the summer season, and the primarily dormantcomponent may be the heating component. In other embodiments, only aheating component or a cooling component is provided, but not both. Inany event, one illustrative method includes the steps of transmitting atest request to the HVAC system from the remote location, performing atest on the primarily dormant component of the HVAC system in responseto the test request, and producing a test result. The test result canthen be transmitted to a location outside of the building structure.

As can be seen, the present invention may be used to remotely test anHVAC system prior to a heating season. The method may include activatingthe heating component even though the HVAC system would not normallycall for heat, and determining if the heating component is in compliancewith a number of predetermined parameters or conditions, and reportingthe results back to a remote location. This can be performed when just aheating component is provided, or when a heating, a cooling and/or othercomponents are provided. Likewise, the present invention may be used toremotely test an HVAC system prior to a cooling season. The method mayinclude activating the cooling component even though the HVAC systemwould not normally call for cooling, and determining if the coolingcomponent is in compliance with a number of predetermined parameters orconditions, and reporting the results back to a remote location. Again,this can be performed when just a cooling component is provided, or whena cooling, a heating and/or other components are provided. If the HVACsystem includes two or more zones, each zone may be tested in someembodiments.

Further illustrative embodiments for remotely testing HVAC systemsinclude the steps of transmitting one or more test requests from aremote location to a specified group of customer HVAC systems, where thespecified group includes a subset of all of the customer HVAC systems ina customer database. The subset may correspond to, for example, thosecustomers that are in a common geographical area, and/or those customersthat have the same or similar HVAC system type. The HVAC systems receivethe test requests and perform a self-test. In some cases, the rigor ofthe self-test may depend on the particular test request received. TheHVAC system may generate a self-test result, and transmit the self-testresult to the remote unit.

These methods can be performed to remotely test a plurality of HVACsystems, each in a different building structure or in a different partof a common building structure, such as in different apartments of anapartment building. These methods can determine which of the pluralityof HVAC systems require maintenance, preferably before the individualHVAC system component is required to be in operation by the buildingowner. The above summary of the present invention is not intended todescribe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of thepresent invention. The Figures, Detailed Description and Examples whichfollow more particularly exemplify these embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of thefollowing detailed description of various embodiments of the inventionin connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a system for performing a methodof the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an HVAC system;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a system for performing a method of theinvention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of another system for performing amethod of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a block flow diagram of a method of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of contractor web access;and

FIGS. 7 to 12 are flow diagrams showing a number of illustrative methodsin accordance with the present invention.

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternativeforms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in thedrawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood,however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to theparticular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is tocover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe spirit and scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description should be read with reference to the drawings,in which like elements in different drawings are numbered in likefashion. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depictselected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention. Although examples of construction, dimensions, and materialsare illustrated for the various elements, those skilled in the art willrecognize that many of the examples provided have suitable alternativesthat may be utilized.

Generally, the present invention relates to remote testing of HVACsystems, and more specifically, to remote testing of a number of HVACsystems from a remote location. While the present invention is not solimited, an appreciation of various aspects of the invention will begained through a discussion of the examples provided below.

Referring now to FIG. 1, which shows a schematic block diagram of asystem 100 for performing a method of the invention. The system 100includes a remote computer 110 communicating with an HVAC system 130 viaremote communications block 120. The HVAC system 130 can be within abuilding structure and the remote computer 110 can be outside thebuilding structure at a remote location. In some cases, the remotecomputer 110 can communicate with a plurality of HVAC systems 130.

In the illustrative embodiment, the HVAC systems 130 can provide testand/or maintenance information back to the remote computer 110 via theremote communications block 120. The remote communications block 120 isused particularly when there is a substantial physical distance betweenthe remote computer 110 and the HVAC systems 130.

The remote computer 110 can include any type of microprocessor capableof operating software useful with the methods described herein. In oneillustrative embodiment, the remote computer 110 can include a personalcomputer having a central processing unit, a display monitor, andcommunication and connectivity means, such as a modem or internetconnection. The remote computer 110 can include any number of additionalor other components such as data storage and data routing components, asdesired. Alternatively, or in addition, the remote computer 110 may be aweb server that, for example, can providing access and/or control viathe Internet.

The remote computer 110 may be capable of transmitting one or moresignals to one or a plurality of HVAC systems 130 via the remotecommunications block 120. The remote computer 110 may also be capable ofreceiving data from the one or plurality of HVAC systems 130 via theremote communications block 120. The remote computer 110 can also becapable of manipulating the received data and generating any number ofoutput reports based on the received data. The remote computer 110 cancommunicate with the plurality of HVAC systems 130 at the same time oreach one sequentially, as desired.

The remote communications block 120 may provide communication betweenthe remote computer 110 and the HVAC system 130. The remotecommunications block 120 can include and known or future communicationstechnology, including but not limited to, wired communication such asfiber optic, cable, twisted pairs, and the like, or wirelesscommunications such as radio, cellular, satellite, and the like. Theremote communications block 120 can be capable of bi-directionalcommunication between the remote computer 110 and the HVAC system 130.

The HVAC systems 130 can include one or more HVAC systems. In anillustrative embodiment, the HVAC system includes 10, 20, 30, 50, 100,1000, 10,000 or more HVAC systems. The HVAC systems 130 can beresidential and/or commercial HVAC systems. In an illustrativeembodiment, the HVAC systems 130 can be selected from, for example, acustomer database and grouped according to a geographic set ofparameters such that all the of selected HVAC systems 130 are locatedwith a specified geographic region. Alternatively, or in addition, theHVAC systems 130 can be selected from, for example, a customer databaseand grouped according to the type of HVAC system equipment, servicelevel, the order that the HVAC systems are stored in the customerdatabase, or any other suitable way. An illustrative embodiment of oneof the HVAC systems 130 is described below.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative HVAC system 130.In this embodiment the HVAC system 130 includes a controller 131, a HVACunit 132, and at least one interior climate controlled zone 133, wherethe controller 131 is in communication with the remote communicationblock 120. In some embodiments, the controller 131 may be coupled to theremote communication block 120 via interface 141 a and to the HVAC unit132 via interface 141 b. In other embodiments, however, the controller131, remote communication block 120 and the HVAC unit 132 maycommunicate over a common wire or bus, such as bus 143. In some cases,the common wire or bus may be configured to be compatible with theENVIRACOM® protocol, provided by the assignee of the present invention.The ENVIRACOM® protocol helps HVAC appliances, thermostats, gateways andother components communicate with each other over a common bus.

The controller 131 can be any suitable controller, and in theillustrative embodiment, includes a microprocessor 135, a display 136and a memory 137. The microprocessor 135 may be capable of beingprogrammed such that the controller 131 changes a control signal sent tothe HVAC unit 132 based on the time of day, temperature, humidity,ventilation, or any other desired parameter. The display 136 can provideparameter readings and/or set point information to the user. The memory137 can be embodied in a variety of forms such as, for example, readonly memory can be used to retain operating and/or maintenance programsand predetermined values and random access memory can provide transitoryworking memory space, as desired. The foregoing elements can beimplemented by any suitable devices known in the art.

The illustrative HVAC unit 132 includes a heating component 139 and acooling component 138. In some cases, however, the HVAC unit 132 mayonly include a heating component, or only a cooling component, asdesired. In the illustrative embodiment, the heating component 139 caninclude a gas heater and the cooling component 138 can include an airconditioning compressor, and both components may share a common fan.

In the illustrative embodiment, one of the HVAC unit components 138, 139can be considered the active component and the remaining component maybe considered the dormant component. For example, during the heatingseason (Winter) the heating component 139 may be deemed the activecomponent and the cooling component 138 may be deemed the dormantcomponent. Likewise, during the cooling season (Summer), the coolingcomponent 138 may be deemed the active component and the coolingcomponent 139 may be deemed the dormant component. In an illustrativeembodiment, the dormant component is the component not currentlyenergized or was not the last component activated for at least one day,one week, one month, or longer. In like manner, the active component isthe component that is either currently energized or was the lastcomponent activated. The fluid (e.g., air or water) heated or cooledwithin the HVAC unit 132 can be provided to one or more respectivezones, one of which is represented as zone 133 in FIG. 2.

The interior climate controlled zone 133 can include an environmentalparameter sensor such as, for example, a temperature sensor 134 tomonitor the effect of the treated fluid used for heating or cooling theair or thermal mass in the zone 133. In the illustrative embodiment, thetemperature sensor 134 is in communication with the controller 131.

A self-test, test request and/or maintenance algorithm can be performedon the dormant HVAC component to determine if the dormant HVAC componentrequires maintenance. The self-test and/or maintenance algorithm canevaluate any useful HVAC parameter such as, for example, heating orcooling capacity of the HVAC system for one or each zone, flameintensity, operating efficiency, and the like.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a system for performing a method of theinvention. FIG. 3 shows a home or building region 140, a communicationsinfrastructure region 150, a data storage and routing region 160, and amessaging and contractor access region 170. The home or building region140 includes an HVAC unit 142 operably connected to a controller orgateway 143. The gateway 143 may be provided as a separate gateway unit,part of a thermostat, part of a modem, part of an HVAC controller, orpart of any other suitable device, as desired.

The HVAC unit 142 performs climate control for home or building 141. Thecontroller or gateway 143 is in communication with a data storage androuting region 160 via a communications infrastructure region 150. Asdescribed above, the communications infrastructure region 150 caninclude any usable form of communications such as, for example, cellular151, telephone, cable 153, the internet, and the like. Thecommunications infrastructure region 150 can provide bi-directionalcommunication between the controller or gateway 143 and the remote datastorage and routing region 160.

The data storage and routing region 160 is in communication withmessaging and contractor access region 170. In one illustrativeembodiment, the data storage and routing region 160 can provide a secureand redundant database for the information transmitted to and from thehome or building region 140. This data storage and routing region 160can be accessed by the messaging and contractor access region 170. Theterm “contractor” is presumed to denote an HVAC maintenance contractoror HVAC maintenance contractor company that can perform maintenance onthe HVAC unit 142 located in the remote home or building region 140.However, the term “contractor” may also include other entities such asHVAC manufacturers, OEMs and/or others that may access the messaging andcontractor access region 170, if desired.

The messaging and contractor access region 170 provides information toan HVAC contractor regarding the condition of the HVAC unit 142 in thehome or building region 140. In one illustrative embodiment, the HVACcontractor can access or receive this information via a contractor webaccess 171 site, a cell phone, a pager, a PDA 173 and/or a fax or email174, to list just a few. Software can be operated to work with theinformation at the data storage and routing region 160 via a contractorsoftware pipe 172. This information can be displayed or accessed via thecontractor web access 171, if desired.

In some cases, more than one HVAC contractor can have access and/or runtheir own software via one or more contractor software pipes 172 toutilize the information stored at the data storage and routing region160, as described in conjunction with FIG. 6 below. As described above,a plurality of home or building regions 140 can communicate with thedata storage and routing region 160 via the communicationsinfrastructure region 150. A test request or maintenance request can betransmitted from the messaging and contractor access region 170 and/orform the data storage and routing region 160 to any number of remotehome or building regions 140. Once the home or building region 140performs the requested test or maintenance routines, results form thisroutine may be transmitted back to the data storage and routing region160 for contractor access via the messaging and contractor access region170. As such, an HVAC contractor can determine which HVAC units 142 needmaintenance, and then schedule and perform the required maintenance.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of another illustrative system 200in accordance with the present invention. The system 200 can include aremote computer 210 communicating with a HVAC system gateway 240 viaremote communications block 220. The HVAC system gateway 240 isconnected via a wired or wireless connection to the HVAC system 230. Theremote computer 210 can communicate with a plurality of HVAC systemgateways 240 in some embodiments. The HVAC system 230 can provide testand/or maintenance information back to the HVAC system gateway 240 andthe HVAC system gateway 240 can communicate with the remote computer 210via the remote communications block 220.

The remote computer 210, remote communications block 220, and HVACsystem 230 are described above. The HVAC system gateway 240 can includea microprocessor and memory useful for storing and transmitting testand/or maintenance routines and/or algorithms that are initiated by thetest request received from the remote computer 210. The HVAC systemgateway 240 can also receive, store and transmit test and/or maintenanceresults from the HVAC system 230 to the remote computer 210 via theremote communications block 220. The HVAC system gateway 240 can be acommercially available component such as, for example, an ENVIRACOMcomponent commercially available from the assignee of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a block flow diagram of an illustrative method 300 inaccordance with the present invention. The method begins at the startblock 310. Block 320 transmits one or more test and/or maintenancesignals to one or a plurality of HVAC systems from a remote computer orunit via a communications link. The plurality of HVAC systems can be aspecified group of remote HVAC systems chosen based on any number ofparameters such as, for example, proximity to a geographic location.

Block 330 receives the test and/or maintenance signal at the pluralityof HVAC systems. As described above, the HVAC system can include agateway where the algorithms or test routine is stored and initiated bythe test and/or maintenance request signal.

Block 340 performs a self-test and/or maintenance algorithm on thecorresponding HVAC system. In an illustrative embodiment, the self-testand/or maintenance algorithm can be communicated from either the remotecomputer or from the HVAC gateway. In a further illustrative embodiment,the self-test and/or maintenance algorithm activates a dormant HVACcomponent and determines the maintenance results. The step of performingthe self-test and/or maintenance algorithm can be executed at any usefultime of day or delayed until a specified period of time such as when thehome or building is expected to be unoccupied, or at night when theoccupants are expected to be sleeping.

Block 350 transmits the self-test and/or maintenance results to theremote unit or computer via the remote communications link. Theself-test and/or maintenance results can be transmitted from amicroprocessor having memory and communication link as described above.The step of transmitting the self-test and/or maintenance results to theremote unit or computer via the remote communications link can beexecuted at any useful time of day or delayed for a specific period oftime, as desired. Alternatively or in addition, the step of transmittingthe self-test and/or maintenance results to the remote unit or computervia the remote communications link can be initiated by a retrievalsignal transmitted by the remote computer and received by the HVACsystem (or gateway). This retrieval signal can be transmitted by theremote unit and received by the HVAC system (or gateway) at any timefollowing the completion of the self-test and/or maintenance algorithmsuch as, for example, 12 hours, 1 day, 1 week or 1 month following thecompletion of the self-test and/or maintenance algorithm, as desired.

Block 360 receives the self-test and/or maintenance results from theplurality of HVAC systems at the remote unit or computer. The remotecomputer can store the self-test and/or maintenance results in memory,such as in RAM, on a hard disk, on a tape, etc. The remote computer canfurther generate reports based on the received self-test and/ormaintenance results, and provide the results to the contractor, ifdesired. Block 370 analyzes the received self-test and/or maintenanceresults, and schedules maintenance on HVAC systems in need ofmaintenance.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative embodiment of acontractor web access page 400. The contractor web access page 400 cancorrespond to the contractor web access icon 171 in FIG. 3. Thecontractor web access page 400 can be operated by software useful formanaging a customer database and utilizing the data storage and routinginformation described above with reference to FIG. 3.

In an illustrative embodiment, one or more contractors 415 have acontractor page such as, for example, No. 1 Contractor Page 420 and No.“N” Contractor Page 410. Each contractor 415 can access their contractorpage via a common web access URL 430 and can enter a user name andpassword, if desired. Each contractor page 410, 420 can displayinformation regarding its' HVAC maintenance customer base such as, forexample, customer base statistics, reports, customer record management,communications status, and the like.

Each contractor page 410, 420 can be linked to a customer base database401, 402. Each customer base database 401, 402 can include informationfor each HVAC customer such as, for example, account number, address,alarm thresholds, messaging options, services configurations,communications link, and the like. The information provided in thecustomer records 401, 402 can be supplied for each customer HVAC unit.The customer base database 401, 402 can be located within the datastorage and routing element described in FIG. 3 or the customer basedatabase 401, 402 can be in communication with the data storage androuting element described in FIG. 3. Each contractor 415 can use thedata provided to determine which customer HVAC units requiremaintenance, and then perform the required maintenance.

FIGS. 7 to 12 are block flow diagrams of illustrative methods of theinvention. FIG. 7 is an illustrative method 500 for testing an HVACsystem for a building structure from a remote location outside of thebuilding structure, where the HVAC system has a primarily activecomponent and a primarily dormant component. This method begins at thestart block 510. The method includes the step of transmitting a testrequest to the HVAC system from the remote location 520. Then the methodincludes the step of performing a test on the primarily dormantcomponent of the HVAC system in response to the test request to producea test result 530. Finally, the method includes the step of transmittingthe test result to a location outside of the building structure 540.

In this illustrative embodiment, the primarily active component can beeither the heating or cooling component depending on whether it iscurrently the heating or cooling season, as described above. Likewise,the primarily dormant component can be either the heating or coolingcomponent depending on whether it is the heating or cooling season, asdescribed above. The test request can be transmitted to the HVAC systemfrom a remote computer via a telephone line connection, a wirelessconnection, a computer network, the internet, or any other suitableconnection.

The HVAC system can include a gateway for receiving the test requestfrom the remote computer, and for communicating with the HVAC system. Insome embodiments, the gateway can store one or more tests, and cansubmit at least one of the one or more tests to the HVAC system inresponse to a test request. In some cases, the gateway can select asubset of the one or more tests and submit the subset of the one or moretests to the HVAC system in response to the test request. The gatewaycan be within or proximate to the building structure serviced by HVACsystem. As described above, the HVAC system can include two or morezones, and the test that is performed can activate the primarily dormantcomponent in conjunction with each of the two or more zones.

It is contemplated that the transmitting step can transmit a testrequest to two or more HVAC systems from the remote location, asdescribed above. Further, the test result for each HVAC system can betransmitted to a location outside of the building structure. Inaddition, the remote location that the test request is transmitted fromcan be the same as or different from the remote location that the testresult is transmitted to.

FIG. 8 is another illustrative method 600 for testing a plurality ofHVAC systems each in a different building structure from a remotelocation. This method begins at the start block 610. The method includesthe step of transmitting a test request to each of the plurality of HVACsystems from the remote location 620. Next, the method includes the stepof performing one or more tests on each of the HVAC systems in responseto the test request, and producing a test result for each of the HVACsystems 630. Finally the method includes the step of transmitting thetest result for each of the HVAC systems to a remote location 640.

As described above, at least some of the plurality of HVAC systemsinclude a primarily active component and a primarily dormant component,and wherein at least one of the one or more tests that is performedactivates and tests the primarily active component of the correspondingHVAC system in response to the test request. Alternatively, or inaddition, at least some of the plurality of HVAC systems include aprimarily active component and a primarily dormant component, andwherein at least one of the one or more tests that is performedactivates and tests the primarily dormant component of the correspondingHVAC system in response to the test request.

FIG. 9 is yet another illustrative method for determining which of aplurality of HVAC systems will require maintenance 700. This methodbegins at the start block 710. This method includes the step oftransmitting a test request to each of the plurality of HVAC systemsfrom the remote location 720. The next step includes performing one ormore tests on at least selected ones of the HVAC systems in response tothe test request, and producing a test result for each of the selectedHVAC systems 730. Next, the method includes transmitting the test resultfor each of the selected HVAC systems to a remote location 740. Finallythe method includes identifying which of the HVAC systems will likelyneed service by analyzing the test results 750.

This method can further include the step of providing different testrequests to at least two of the plurality of HVAC systems, where eachtest request identifies a different test to perform. This method canfurther include the step of charging an owner of an HVAC system anamount that depends on the particular test that is performed on the HVACsystem. Finally, this method can further include the step of schedulingservice on at least some of the HVAC systems that have been identifiedas likely needing service.

FIG. 10 is another illustrative method for testing an HVAC system for aninside space prior to a heating season, where the HVAC system has aheating component 800. The method starts a block 810. This methodincludes the steps of activating the heating component even though theHVAC system would not normally call for heat 820. This method furtherincludes the step of determining if the heating component is incompliance with a number of predetermined conditions or parameters 830.The predetermined conditions or parameters can include, for example,flame conditions, heating efficiency, and the like. For example, priorto the heating season (Fall, Winter) or during the cooling season(Summer) a remote self-test can cause the HVAC system(thermostat/controller) to set a temperature parameter in a particularheating zone and activate the heating cycle of the HVAC system. The HVACsystem can monitor the HVAC response confirming that the space washeated within a specified time parameter. This sequence can be repeatedfor all zones within the building. When all zones have been tested, theHVAC system can report the results back to the HVAC contractor, ifdesired.

FIG. 11 is yet another illustrative method for testing an HVAC systemfor an inside space prior to a cooling season, where the HVAC system hasa cooling component 900. The method starts at block 910. This methodincludes the steps of activating the cooling component even though theHVAC system would not normally call for cool 920. This method furtherincludes the step of determining if the cooling component is incompliance with a number of predetermined conditions 930. Thepredetermined conditions can include, for example, condenser conditions,cooling efficiency, and the like. For example, prior to the coolingseason (Spring, Summer) or during the cooling season (Winter) a remoteself-test can cause the HVAC system (thermostat/controller) to set atemperature parameter in a particular heating zone and activate thecooling cycle of the HVAC system. The HVAC system can monitor the HVACresponse confirming that the space was cooled within a specified timeparameter. This sequence can be repeated for all remaining zones withinthe building. When all zones have been tested, the HVAC system canreport the results back to the HVAC contractor, if desired.

FIG. 12 is another illustrative method of remote testing of HVAC systems1000. The method starts at block 1010. This method includes the step oftransmitting one or more maintenance signals from a remote unit to aspecified group of customer HVAC systems, where the specified group is anumber less than a total number of customer HVAC systems in a customerdatabase 1020. The next step is receiving the one or more maintenancesignals at each of the HVAC systems, where the one or more maintenancesignals activates an HVAC component 1030. Next, the method includesperforming a self-test on the activated HVAC component based on thereceived one or more maintenance signal 1040. Then the method includesgenerating self-test result signals from the activated HVAC componentbased on the self-test preformed on the activated HVAC component 1050.Then the method includes transmitting the self-test result signals fromthe HVAC system to the remote unit 1060. Finally, the method includesreceiving the self-test result signals from the HVAC systems at theremote unit 1070.

This method can further include the step of determining the specifiedgroup of customer HVAC systems based on the specified group of customerHVAC systems being within a specified geographic area prior to the stepof transmitting the one or more maintenance signals. This method canfurther include the step of determining which customer HVAC systems fromthe specified group of customer HVAC systems likely require maintenancebased on the self-test signals received by the remote unit. Finally thismethod can include the step of performing maintenance on the customerHVAC systems that are determined to likely require maintenance based onthe self-test signals received by the remote unit.

The invention should not be considered limited to the particularexamples described above, but rather should be understood to cover allaspects of the invention as set out in the attached claims. Variousmodifications, equivalent processes, as well as numerous structures towhich the invention can be applicable will be readily apparent to thoseof skill in the art upon review of the instant specification.

What is claimed is:
 1. An HVAC controller for controlling one or moreHVAC components of an HVAC system comprising: an input/output port forsending and/or receiving information; a memory; a controller coupled tothe input/output port and the memory, the controller configured toperform a self-test on a dormant HVAC component of an HVAC system toproduce a test result.
 2. The HVAC controller of claim 1, wherein thecontroller is configured to perform the test during a specified periodof time.
 3. The HVAC controller of claim 1, wherein the controller isconfigured to perform the test when the building is expected to beunoccupied.
 4. The HVAC controller of claim 1, wherein the controller isconfigured to perform the test when occupants of the building areexpected to be sleeping.
 5. An HVAC controller for controlling an HVACsystem that services a space of a building, comprising: an input/outputport for sending and/or receiving information; a memory; and acontroller operatively coupled to the input/output port and the memory,the controller configured to perform a test using the HVAC system, thecontroller configured to identify an expected time when the spaceserviced by the HVAC system is expected to be unoccupied, and to performthe test during the identified expected unoccupied time.
 6. The HVACcontroller of claim 5, wherein the test is a self-test performed by thecontroller.
 7. The HVAC controller of claim 6, wherein the self-test isinitiated by a remote computer via the input/output port.
 8. The HVACcontroller of claim 5, wherein the test produces a test result, andwherein the controller is configured to transmit the test result to aremote computing device for analysis.
 9. The HVAC controller of claim 8,wherein the controller is configured to receive analysis of the testresult via the input/output port.
 10. The HVAC controller of claim 5,wherein the test produces a test result that is suitable for evaluatinga heating capacity and/or a cooling capacity of the HVAC system.
 11. TheHVAC controller of claim 5, wherein the space includes a thermal mass,and the test produces a test result that is suitable for evaluating aneffect of the HVAC system on the thermal mass.
 12. An HVAC controllerfor controlling an HVAC system that services a space of a building,comprising: an input/output port for sending and/or receivinginformation; a memory; and a controller operatively coupled to theinput/output port and the memory, the controller configured to perform atest using the HVAC system, the controller configured to identify anexpected sleep time when the occupants of the space are expected to besleeping in the space, and to perform the test during the identifiedexpected sleep time.
 13. The HVAC controller of claim 12, wherein thetest is a self-test performed by the controller.
 14. The HVAC controllerof claim 13, wherein the self-test is initiated by a remote computer viathe input/output port.
 15. The HVAC controller of claim 12, wherein thetest produces a test result, and wherein the controller is configured totransmit the test result to a remote computing device for analysis. 16.The HVAC controller of claim 15, wherein the controller is configured toreceive analysis of the test result via the input/output port.
 17. TheHVAC controller of claim 12, wherein the test produces a test resultthat is suitable for evaluating a heating capacity and/or a coolingcapacity of the HVAC system.
 18. The HVAC controller of claim 12,wherein the space includes a thermal mass, and the test produces a testresult that is suitable for evaluating an effect of the HVAC system onthe thermal mass.
 19. The HVAC controller of claim 12, wherein the testactivates a dormant component of the HVAC system.
 20. The HVACcontroller of claim 12, wherein the test is activated based on a changeof seasons.